Non-slip shoulder strap retainer

ABSTRACT

A non-slip shoulder strap retainer which is designed to be of a width no greater than the shoulder strap on which it is to be used, thus providing a non-obstructive, discreet solution in minimizing or preventing slippage of shoulder straps. The retainer comprises a substantially flat fabric portion bearing hooks protruding therefrom for engaging an underside of a shoulder strap, the fabric portion comprising an upper surface of the retainer. A non-slip material portion is connected to and in opposed relationship with the fabric portion, the non-slip material portion comprising a bottom surface of the retainer and in contact with a shoulder area of a wearer. When positioned, the retainer is positioned directly underneath the shoulder strap so as to be concealed from view.

The present invention relates to a shoulder strap retainer for use with apparel or luggage having shoulder straps to prevent or minimize said shoulder straps from sliding down, and, more particularly, to a one-piece non-slip shoulder strap retainer adapted for attachment to an underside of a shoulder strap so as to be concealed thereunder.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A problem often associated with the wearing of shoulder straps is the tendency of these straps to slip or fall down off the shoulder area onto the upper arm region, causing discomfort and/or embarrassment to the wearer. Various devices and attempts have been made in the past for such purposes. For example, pads have been designed that sit upon the wearer's shoulder, and straps have been also been utilized which attach horizontally between the vertical straps located in the back of the garment. It is also known that to have devices that wrap around the shoulder strap itself. Examples of these can be seen with reference to U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,827,628; 6,446,268; 6,179,178; 6,135,852; 5,975,984; 5,803,792; 5,201,078; 5,060,348; and 4,704,745. However, some of these devices are cumbersome, bulky, can be difficult to attach or remove, and, most importantly, are not concealed under the shoulder strap and thus are clearly visible. As such, these do not adequately address the issue of preventing the slippage of shoulder straps, while, at the same time, remaining concealed and unseen beneath the shoulder strap.

It is also well known that devices exist which are designed for attachment to a brassiere strap, and is designed to rest on top of an existing shoulder strap to engage the fabric of an outer garment (dress) worn by the user. In essence, such devices are garment retainers, but do not adequately provide a strap retainer which is positioned directly underneath an existing shoulder strap so as to be concealed thereunder, whereby, when the retainer is positioned directly underneath the existing shoulder strap, the hooks of the fabric portion engage an underside of the existing shoulder strap so as to secure the retainer thereto. U.S. Pat. No. 4,704,745 (Reaver) is an example of such a device. Moreover, such devices, while preventing the outer garment (dress) of a wearer from shifting and thus exposing the shoulder strap of the brassiere, are designed to “hook unto” the dress or garment worn by the wearer and can actually damage the garment, or dress, worn by the user.

In addition, shoulder strap “shields” are also known in the art, whose main purpose is to provide a buffer between the wearer's shoulder and a brassiere strap so as to prevent chafing or “digging in” of the brassiere strap to the wearer's shoulder. However, in providing this buffer, these devices must, of necessity, be of a greater width than the strap itself to adequately accomplish this function, so as to ensure a greater surface area and coverage should the strap shift or move. By being of a greater width than the strap itself, such devices adequately provide such a buffer between the wearer's shoulder and the brassiere strap. However, these devices also do not adequately address the issue of preventing the slippage of shoulder straps, while, at the same time, providing a strap retainer which can remain concealed and unseen beneath the shoulder strap. They are also clearly visible.

In light of the above-noted issues, it would therefore be advantageous to have an improved shoulder strap retainer that is capable of being adapted to various types of apparel or luggage containing shoulder straps, and which can easily be concealed beneath an existing shoulder strap.

It would be further advantageous to have an improved inexpensive shoulder strap retainer that is able to withstand normal laundering methods, is simple to attach and detachably removable but yet able to hold the shoulder strap in its proper position and prevent movement or the slippage thereof.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is accordingly the principal object of this invention to provide a non-slip shoulder strap retainer for shoulder straps in garments, such as but not limited to, brassieres, bathing suits, slips, that will minimize or prevent slippage of these straps.

The present invention provides an improved shoulder strap retainer that is capable of being adapted to various types of apparel or luggage containing shoulder straps, and which can easily be concealed beneath an existing shoulder strap.

Further, the present invention provides an improved non-slip shoulder strap retainer which is designed to be of a width no greater than the shoulder strap on which it is to be used, thus providing a non-obstructive, discreet solution in minimizing or preventing slippage of shoulder straps.

According to a first broad aspect of an embodiment of the present invention, there is disclosed a shoulder strap retainer adapted for attachment to an underside of a shoulder strap, comprising a substantially flat fabric portion bearing hooks protruding therefrom, the fabric portion comprising an upper surface of the retainer, and a non-slip material portion connected to and in opposed relationship with the fabric portion, the non-slip material portion comprising a bottom surface of the retainer and being in tensional contact with a shoulder area of a wearer; the retainer having tapered or rounded ends and having a width equal to or less than a width of the shoulder strap to which it is secured to, the retainer being positioned directly underneath the shoulder strap so as to be concealed thereunder, whereby, when the retainer is positioned directly underneath the shoulder strap, the hooks of the fabric portion engage the shoulder strap so as to secure the retainer thereto, and wherein the retainer is selectively detachable from engagement with the shoulder strap.

An important advantage of the present invention is that it provides an improved non-slip shoulder strap retainer which is designed to be of a width no greater than the shoulder strap on which it is to be used, thus providing a non-obstructive, discreet solution in minimizing or preventing slippage of shoulder straps.

Another important advantage of the present invention is that it provides an improved inexpensive one-piece non-slip shoulder strap retainer that is able to withstand normal laundering methods, is simple to attach and detachably removable, but yet able to hold the shoulder strap in its proper position and prevent movement or the slippage thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The embodiments of the present invention will now be described by reference to the following figures, in which identical reference numerals in different figures indicate identical elements and in which:

FIG. 1 shows an upper perspective view of the retainer of the present invention, illustrating the hook type fabric portion;

FIG. 2 shows a bottom view of the retainer of the present invention, illustrating the non-slip material portion;

FIG. 3 shows the retainer of the present invention retaining a garment shoulder strap on the shoulder of a woman;

FIG. 4 shows the retainer of the present invention retaining a shoulder strap of a luggage article.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be described for the purposes of illustration only in connection with certain embodiments; however, it is to be understood that other objects and advantages of the present invention will be made apparent by the following description of the drawings according to the present invention. While a preferred embodiment is disclosed, this is not intended to be limiting. Rather, the general principles set forth herein are considered to be merely illustrative of the scope of the present invention and it is to be further understood that numerous changes may be made without straying from the scope of the present invention.

The present invention consists of an improved one-piece non-slip shoulder strap retainer which is designed to be of a width no greater than the shoulder strap on which it is to be used, thus providing a non-obstructive, discreet solution in minimizing or preventing slippage of shoulder straps.

Referring to the drawings, and in particular, FIG. 1, there is provided an upper angular view of the shoulder strap retainer 1 of the present invention. In the preferred embodiment, the shoulder strap retainer 1 is of a one-piece construction, and having a hook type fabric portion 10 on one side and a non-slip material portion 20 on the opposite side. In a preferred embodiment, portions 10 and 20 are fabricated with similar and corresponding dimensions (with all edges the same). In an alternative embodiment, the shoulder strap retainer of the present invention may be constructed of 2 separate pieces, wherein portions 10 and 20 may be joined together by means of ultrasonic welding, foam lamination, or sewing, or joined together by an adhesive compound being applied to their backing.

Preferably, the shoulder strap retainer device of the present invention is one single unit, and is a stand-alone device which does not need to be permanently attached to the shoulder strap to perform its intended function, and can also easily be moved from one garment or luggage item to another. However, in an alternative embodiment, as hereinafter described, the shoulder strap retainer may also be permanently affixed to the underside of a strap by means of an adhesive backing (not shown). The shoulder strap retainer 1 has tapered ends 3, as can be seen in FIG. 1, to prevent irritation or discomfort to the wearer.

In a preferred embodiment, fabric portion 10 comprises an upper surface of the shoulder strap retainer, and is the surface that will be positioned to contact the underside of the shoulder strap, and is preferably a flat strip having an upper surface bearing hooks 5 protruding therefrom. When the shoulder strap retainer 1 of the present invention is positioned directly underneath the shoulder strap so as to be concealed thereunder, the hooks 5 of the fabric portion 10 engage the shoulder strap so as to secure the retainer thereto.

The material portion 20 is in opposed relationship with the fabric portion 10, the non-slip material portion 20 comprising a bottom surface of the shoulder strap retainer and being in tensional contact with a shoulder area of a wearer. In a preferred embodiment, material portion 20 will have directly coated or adhered thereon a quantity of non-slip material, so as to resist slippage of the shoulder strap retainer on the shoulder, it of course being understood that such application of the non-slip material can be directly coated, laminated, hot melted or embossed onto material portion 20. Alternatively, the non-slip material can be directly coated to an underside of the fabric portion. Accordingly, when used, the shoulder strap retainer 1 device of the present invention is placed underneath the shoulder strap of the garment or luggage, in line with the shape of the existing shoulder strap, and in the general shoulder area. The shoulder strap retainer 1 is held in place by the hooks 5 of the fabric portion 10 which engage the underside of the shoulder strap as well as the non-slip material portion 20 which is placed on the wearer's shoulder, and by the pressure created from the normal tension of the shoulder strap against the wearer's shoulder. It will, of course, be understood that such non-slip material will have a higher co-efficient of friction with a wearer's skin upon which it is applied. In the preferred embodiment, the shoulder strap retainer 1 device of the present invention is easily concealed beneath an existing shoulder strap of a garment 30, and the existing shoulder strap of a luggage article 40, as seen in FIGS. 2 and 3.

As noted previously, the shoulder strap retainer may also be permanently affixed to the underside of a strap by means of an adhesive backing (not shown) contained on an upper surface of fabric portion 10. In operation, such adhesive backing on the upper surface of fabric portion 10 could be covered with, for example, a peelable foil wrapper, which would be removed, when desired, to reveal the adhesive backing on the fabric portion 10 and thus permit the shoulder strap retainer to be permanently affixed to the underside of a strap.

In a preferred embodiment, as noted above, material portion 20 will have directly coated or adhered thereon a quantity of non-slip material, so as to resist slippage of the shoulder strap retainer on the shoulder. Examples of such non-slip materials which could be utilized to provide a degree of friction between itself and the skin of the wearer are silicone, soft foam material such as urethane polymers, or natural or synthetic rubbers. In applying such non-slip materials unto material portion 20, as an example, any such non-slip materials could be applied while in a viscous state, then cured.

Preferably, the shoulder strap retainer 1 is designed to be of a width no greater than the shoulder strap on which it is to be used, thus providing a non-obstructive, discreet solution. In use, the shoulder strap retainer of the present invention can be used with, but not limited to, shoulder straps in luggage such as briefcases, carry-on bags, computer cases, backpacks, handbags, or any type of apparel utilizing shoulder straps, to minimize or prevent slippage of these straps.

It will be apparent to those skilled in this art that various modifications and variations may be made to the embodiments disclosed herein, consistent with the present invention, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Other embodiments consistent with the present invention will become apparent from consideration of the specification and the practice of the invention disclosed therein.

Accordingly, the specification and the embodiments are to be considered exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of the invention being disclosed by the following claims. 

1. A shoulder strap retainer adapted for attachment to an underside of a shoulder strap, comprising: a substantially flat fabric portion bearing hooks protruding therefrom, the fabric portion comprising an upper surface of the retainer; a non-slip material portion connected to and in opposed relationship with the fabric portion, the non-slip material portion comprising a bottom surface of the retainer and being in tensional contact with a shoulder area of a wearer, the retainer having tapered or rounded ends and having a width equal to or less than a width of the shoulder strap to which it is secured to, the retainer being positioned directly underneath the shoulder strap so as to be concealed thereunder, whereby, when the retainer is positioned directly underneath the shoulder strap, the hooks of the fabric portion engage the shoulder strap so as to secure the retainer thereto; and wherein the retainer is selectively detachable from engagement with the shoulder strap.
 2. The shoulder strap retainer of claim 1, wherein the retainer is a stand-alone device.
 3. The shoulder strap retainer of claim 1, wherein the retainer is of a one-piece construction.
 4. The shoulder strap retainer of claim 1, wherein the non-slip material portion is connected to the fabric portion by means of an adhesive compound, ultrasonic welding, foam lamination, or sewing.
 5. The shoulder strap retainer of claim 1, wherein the fabric portion further comprises an adhesive backing contained on an upper surface thereof, whereby, when the retainer is positioned directly underneath the shoulder strap, the adhesive engages the shoulder strap so as to secure the retainer permanently thereto.
 6. The shoulder strap retainer of claim 1, wherein the non-slip material portion is directly coated with a non-slip material.
 7. The shoulder strap retainer of claim 1, wherein the non-slip material is directly coated to an underside of the fabric portion. 